Water gauge for radiators



June 9, 1925'."

RROPTE WATER GAUGE FOR RADIATORS.

ffifild April 14, 1924.

Patented June 9;, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RONALD ROPTE, OF HUMBOLDT, IOWA.

WATER GAUGE FOR RADIATORS.

Application filed. April 14, 1924. Serial No. 706,520.

To (17/ 11 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, RONALD Ror'ric, a

citizen of the I'nited States. residing at Humboldt. in the county ofHumboldt and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in a \Vater Gauge for Radiators, of which the following isa specification.

. This invention relates to new and useful improvements iii-water gaugesand has for its principal object to provide a device which is especiallyadapted for use in connection with the radiators of tractors or thelike.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide ameans whereby the operator of the tractor may readily ascertain theamount of water within the radiator without having to leave his seat onthe tractor and to remove the closure of the radiator in order toinspect the water chamber thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a watergauge of the above mentioned character, wherein the same is of such aconstruction as not to interfere with the circulation of the waterthrough the tubes of the radiator, means being further provided forsupporting the gauge in the top of the radiator.

A further objectis to provide a water gauge of the above mentionedcharacter, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong anddurable and furthermore adapted for the purposes for which it isdesignated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentduringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

The figure represents an elevational view partly in section of the watergauge showing the same supported in the top of the radiator.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates anelongated sleeve, the upper portion of which is externally threaded asshown at 2. The sleeve 1 is adapted to extend through a suitable openingprovided in the top of the radiator, designated by the letter A, of atractor in such'a manner as to have the upper portion thereof extendingabove the top of the radiator while the major portion of the sleeve isdisposediwithin the radiator.

although it is to be understood that any other material may besubstituted therefor. The lower end of the stem 6 supports there- Forthe purpose of securing the sleeve in position in the opening pro-v onthe hollow copper float 7 which may be of any conventional constructionsuch as is well known in the art. In the present instance I have shownthe float as comprising a pair of interfitting sections 8 and 9respectively. The upper end of the stem 6 extends above the upperthreaded end ofthe sleeve 1 and is provided therein witlfa suitabletransversely extending opening in which is supported the cotter pin 10.

The provision of the cotter pin 10 in the upperend of the stem (3performs a two fold function. In one instance the cotter pin 10 providesa means whereby the operator of the tractor may readily see the positionof the stem 6 so as to ascertain the position of.

the float in the radiator and the amount of water contained therein; Afurther function of the cotter pin 10 is to provide a means for limitingthe downward movement of the stem and the float in the radiator, and asis shown in the drawing, the cotter pin 10 is adapted for engagementwith the upper threaded end of the sleeve 1.

In use, when the radiator is filled with water, the float and stemtherefor will be in its uppermost position causing the cotter pin 10 toextend upwardly and away from the upper end of the sleeve 1. Theoperator of the tractor may readily view the cotter pin and thus will bein a position to determine whether or not the radiator needs tQ; b8filled. This will save considerable time which heretofore was wasted bythe operator of the tractor in having to leave his seat and remove theclosure of the radiator in order to ascertain whether or not theradiator needed additional water. As the water is consumed, the float 7will descend causing the downward movement of the stem 6.and thecotterpinilO carried by the upper end thereof. When the cotter pin 10rests on the upper edge of the sleeve 1. a warning will be given to theoperator of the tractor that the radiator needs refilling. Itis to beunderstood that the stem 6 is of such length as to prevent the float 7from coming in contact with the upper ends of the tubes of the radiator,thus preventing the possibility of'the float the circulation of thewater through the tube. It is also to be understood that the cotter pin10 is 'so supported in the upper end of the stem 6 that when the stem'is in its lowermost position, there will be a minimum supply of'waterin the radiator.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that a water gaugewhich is principally adapted for use in connection with F ordsontractors has been provided which is simple in construction, inexpensive,strong and durable and the parts so arranged as to be readilydisassembled whenever necessary. The provision of a water gauge oftheabove mentioned character, will save the operator 'of a tractorconsiderable time and labor and will at all times provide a meanswhereby the amount of water in the radiator can be from cutting offslidable in said sleeve,

determined without having to remove the closure cap for the radiator andinspect the water chamber thereof.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theiiiventiolrand the scope of the appended claim. 7

Having thus described my invention, what Lclaim is i A water gauge forradiators comprising a sleeve, the upper end thereof being threaded andextending through an opening provided in the top of the radiator,clamping nuts threaded on the upper end of said sleeve on opposite sidesof the radiator top for Se curing the sleeve in position thereon, a stema float on the lower end of said stem, a cotter pin extendingtransversely through the upper end of said stem for indicating theposition of the float and the amount of water in' said radiator, Saidcotter pin being further adapted for engagement with the upper end ofsaid sleeve for limiting the downward movement of the stem in the sleevewhen the water in the radiator is at a predetermined level.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

RONALD ROPTE.

